Tool and method for straightening a door hinge

ABSTRACT

A tool for adjusting a door hinge so that the door hangs properly. The tool is a tube with a slot extending from one end of the tube to the other end of the tube and having a bore to permit sliding the tube over the knuckles of the door hinge.  
     In use, the tube is slid over the knuckles of the hinge with the plates of the hinge extending through the slot. The door is opened sufficiently so that the swage and/or mounting plate are adjusted to where the door swings and closes properly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to adjusting door hinges and particularly to a tool that slides onto an installed door hinge and straightens the door hinge.

BACKGROUND AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE

[0002] The typial door hinge 11, shown in FIG. 1, includes two hinge plates 14, 18, and a hinge pin 20. Each hinge plate 14, 18 has one or more knuckles 16 that are aligned with the one or more knuckles 16 of the other hinge plate. The hinge pin through the knuckes secures the hinge plates 11 together,

[0003] Most metal doors and door frames have hinges attached to a mounting plate which is secured to the door frame.

[0004] A crossection of the assembled hinge 11 is shown in FIG. 2. A bend 21 in each hinge plate (called a “swage”) is formed in order that, when the door is closed, the door will close properly.

[0005] However, as the door ages, and even oftentimes with new doors, the door will not close properly.

[0006] A number of devices have been disclosed related to the mounting of doors on door frames with hinges.

[0007] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,535 to Cannoy discloses a hinge pin removal tool comprising an elongated handle with a n extension having a wedge shaped tip and pin for loosening the pin and driving the loosened pin from the knuckles of the hinge,

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,030 to Phillips discloses discloses a tool for performing three functions. A punch mounted orthogonally near one end of a handle is used initially to dislodge the pin from the knuckle. the other end of the handle has a Wrench like spanner configuration configuration that is engaged with the hinge. force is applied to the handle to straighten bends in the hinge. The magnitude of force applied by the carpenter directly against the tool to bend the hinge is a matter of the carpenter's judgment so that the adjustment is not accurate.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,071 to Eriksen discloses a jig for precise placement of pilot holes for mounting the hinge into a door.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,132 to Henderson et al discloses a a flat bar (strap) with a bent portion on each end of the bar. Each bent portion has a notch for engaging the top or bottom flange of a hinge permitting a carpenter to apply a bending force to straighten the hinge. None of these disclosures address the problem of misalignment of the door hinge that can occur after the dour is hung.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is an object of this invention to provide a tool that is applied to bending or changing the swage or mounting plate of a door hinge with the edges of the door and door frame.

[0012] The tool of this invention is directed toward a tube having a straight slot extending from one open end to the other open end of the tube. In applying the tube to adjusting the swage of the hinge or the mounting plate, the tube is slid onto the knuckles of the hinge. A :“stop” (screw in one end of the tube) positions the tube on the hinge. The door is then opened sufficiently (a few inches) to adjust (bend) the swage or mounting plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a dor hinge (prior art).

[0014]FIG. 2 is a op view of a door hinge illustrating the swage.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view showing the tool of this invention and a door hinge.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a planar view showing the tool mounted on the hinge attached to the door.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating steps in practicing the method of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Turning now to a discussion of the drawings, FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view illustrating the invention. The tool is a tube 10 having an offset center with a slot 12 extending from one end to the other end of the tube 10. The door 24 and door frame 22 (cutaway) are shown. The parts of the hinge are also shown including a first hinge plate 14 with knuckles 16 and a second hinge plate 18 with knuckles 16. Hinge pin 20 slides through the knuckles 16 when the hinge is assembled. First hinge plate 14 is attached to the door frame 22 and the second hinge plate 18 is attached to the door 24.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the tube 10 slid over the assembled hinge. The pin 20, (in phantom), extends through the knuckles 16 (shown in phantom) so that the edge of door 24 abuts door frame 22.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a flow chart listing the steps in the method of this invention for aligning the door hinge.

[0021] In step 1, the tool of FIG. 3 is provided being a tube with a slot extending from one end to the other end of the tube.

[0022] In step 2, the tube is slid over the knucles of the door hinge.

[0023] In step 3, the door is opened sufficiently to provide that the tool exerts an aligning force on the door hinge and edges of the door and door frame by bending the swage.

[0024] Variations and modifications of the invention contemplated after studying the drawings and reading the specification may be within the scope of the invention. I therefore wish to define the scope of my invention by the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A method for adjusting at least one: A. a swage of a door hinge; B. a mounting plate of a door hinge; said door hinge including a first hinge plate attachable to a door and a second hinge plate attachable to a door frame, a first set of knucles soined to said first hinge plate and a second set of knucles joined to said second hinge plate, and a hinge pin slidable through said first and second set of knuckles, to hingably attach said first hinge plate to said second hinge plate, said method including the steps of: (i) providing a tool which includes: (a) a tube witha bore and a slot extending from one end of said tube to another end of said tube; (b) said bore in said tube having a diameter selected to permit sliding said tube onto said knuckles with said first and second sets of knucles engaging said respective first and second hinge plates through said slot; (c) a stop in one end of said tube positioned to permit retaining a position of said tool on the door hinge (ii) sliding said tool onto said first and second knuckles with said first and second joining members positioned in said slot; (iii) opening said door sufficiently to force said first and second hinges into alignment with with said edge of said door.
 2. A tool for aligning first and second knuckles of a door hinge, said door hinge including a first hinge plate attachable to a door and having a first st of knuckles and a second hinge plate having a second set of knuckles and attachable to a door frame, and a hinge pin slidable through said first and second knuckles, to hingably attach said first hinge plate to said second hinge plate. said tool comprising: a tube with a stop on one end and a slot extending from one end of said tube to another end of said tube; said tube having a bore with a diameter selected to permit sliding said tube onto said knuckles against said stop and opening said door sufficiently to provide that at least one of: (a) a swage in said first hinge plate; (b) a swage in said second hinge plate; (c) mounting plate; are adjusted to where said door swings and closes properly. 